Students applied to come to our insight into journalism day on 22 July to spend a day at Guardian headquarters in London meeting Guardian staff and taking part in a range of activities.

Judith Grayson, Recruitment consultant, discussed routes into journalism and key skills that HR are looking for when hiring editorial staff. Hannah Ellis-Peterson, culture news reporter, talked about her route into journalism and how she got her current role. She explained about pitching stories and the importance of a news hook. She answered questions on reporting from Glastonbury and the process of writing a story about political youth theatre from idea to finished article.

Students listend to Hannah Ellis-Peterson discussing her role as Cultural news reporter Photograph: Arizona Smith for the Guardian

Maeve Shearlaw talked about her role as Community co-ordinator foreign networks and the various ways that she engages with readers. Caroline Bannock, UGC community co-ordinator for GuardianWitness discussed the importance of user generated content and its role in journalism. The students then came up with ideas for GuardianWitness assignments. Celine Bijleveld, Front network editor, discussed the Guardian's next gen website and its redesign. New features include the fact that you can personalise it, that the pages are responsive and that every page can act as a front page to other articles.

Students reporting stories at Insight into journalism day Photograph: Arizona Smith for the Guardian

In the afternoon, the students got the chance to work in groups creating a Guardian style front page with the Education Centre team. They had to select stories from that day's news feed, research, write and subedit these. They also had to choose pictures, write headlines and produce their finished page in 90 minutes. Jamie Fahey, News deputy production editor, evaluated the finished pages. He was impressed by how well the pages had been constructed, the choices of stories and photographs and the quality of writing and editing.

Comments from students who attended the day

Students subedit their front pages at the Guardian Insight into journalism day for students Photograph: Arizona Smith for the Guardian

Inspiring and eye-opening to the world of journalism.

I thoroughly enjoyed the day and learned loads. It was very informative and has made me even more determined to be a journalist and maybe work for the Guardian one day!

Very well run - great to see so much.

Very enjoyable and encouraging.

An excellent day both busy, interesting, well organised and friendly.

Very impressive.

Excellent - it was a beneficial day for anyone who is interested in journalism

A very well organised day; I thoroughly enjoyed it and it was incredibly insightful.